Chondroitin sulfates

Chondroitin sulfates are long chains of repeating sugars that attract fluid into the proteoglycan molecules, which is important for the following two reasons:

1. the fluid acts as a shock absorber.
2. The fluid draws nutrients into the cartilage. Because articular (joint) cartilage has no blood supply all of its nourishment and lubrication comes from the fluids that are attracted into the proteoglycan molecules by the chondroitin sulfates. Without this precious fluid, cartilage would become malnourished, drier, thinner, and more fragile